Boneca Minhota I Statuette by Júlia Côta - 15 cm

A unique piece, this statuette is a representation of life in rural Minho (the Cradle of Portugal), combining primary and shimmering colours, feminine ornaments such as hats and earrings, and the daily concerns of women, such as flowers, chickens, fish, eggs...

The Boneca Minhota (Minho Doll, in Northern Portugal) is the most authentic expression of Julia Côta's personal and creative world, where she naively shapes clay, representing what she sees around her.

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Júlia Côta is today one of the greatest living ambassadors of "Figurado de Barcelos", an emblematic artistic movement of Portuguese popular art.

Granddaughter of João Domingos Côta da Rocha – considered the father of the famous "Galo de Barcelos", she was initiated at the age of 9 into the art of clay modeling, a skill she has never ceased to deepen.

At nearly 90 years old, Júlia has become a true legend. Welcomed with honours during her appearances, she is regularly visited in her small house in Barcelos, now located on a street proudly bearing her name, by artists from all over the world who come to meet her as one visits an icon.

Her works, at once naive, expressive, and profoundly human, are now part of private collections, exhibited in galleries around the world, and lead to exhibitions and retrospectives. But despite this international recognition, Júlia has remained true to herself: simple, generous, touched by every mark of attention... and always with her hands in the clay.

She continues, with tenderness and humility, to pass on her art to her daughter Prazeres, thus perpetuating a unique family tradition.

To discover all of Júlia Côta's works still available for sale, please click on the photo below.

To find out more about Júlia Côta and her story, you can read our article "The fantastic world of Júlia Côta"